Aussie Player Exodus
- Thread starter swingpass
- Start date
TSR
Andrew Slack (58)
Every player is going to be checking options and every agent is going to be leaking it.
Without doubt we’ll lose some players we’d really like to keep. If we lose enough then maybe Schmidt will have to soften his stance.
But, unfortunately, RA can’t continue to spend beyond their means so (IMO) they are actually acting responsibly by getting certainty around their finance before they lock in deals.
Without doubt we’ll lose some players we’d really like to keep. If we lose enough then maybe Schmidt will have to soften his stance.
But, unfortunately, RA can’t continue to spend beyond their means so (IMO) they are actually acting responsibly by getting certainty around their finance before they lock in deals.
If a player like McReight goes, that definitely does not fall into the "meh, there is plenty of depth in that spot, he won't be missed" category. Ikitau is not much different.
There is no scenario in the near future where RA can compete with that sort of money across the board. Unless there is a wage recession in Euro Rugby, there are pretty difficult times ahead for RA. Realistically it seems more and more likely that we will need to pick players from wherever they are.
There is no scenario in the near future where RA can compete with that sort of money across the board. Unless there is a wage recession in Euro Rugby, there are pretty difficult times ahead for RA. Realistically it seems more and more likely that we will need to pick players from wherever they are.
Derpus
Nathan Sharpe (72)
It's been inevitable for a while I reckon. I also think we can make it work.
LevitatingSocks
Billy Sheehan (19)
If McReight does go, I'd prefer to see him in Europe rather than Japan even if it makes the logistics more difficult. I'm not convinced the Japanese domestic leagues offer an intensity close to Test rugby or even Super Rugby.
Strewthcobber
David Codey (61)
Doesn't seem to have made any difference to the Boks
LevitatingSocks
Billy Sheehan (19)
The Boks play more rugby before they move to Japan and then have a functioning alignment infrastructure that keeps all their players on the same page.
Meanwhile we've spent years hand-wringing over Will Skelton despite him going well in Top 14.
Derpus
Nathan Sharpe (72)
So copy them.
stoff
Trevor Allan (34)
Once the broadcast deal is done they have more flexibility - both on knowing their budget for players, but also in widening selection policy without it becoming a bargaining point.
Wilson
Rod McCall (65)
Sounds like the biggest risk of departure right now is Ikitau, at least amongst the top flight players we really don't want to lose:
The Ghost of Raelene
David Codey (61)
The way Ikitau played on the tour while great for the team on the field could not have been worse for RAs chances of keeping him in Aus. He did a showcase of generally outplaying the best Centres in Europe and his ability to shift between 12 and 13.
His offers would be in the 1m+ region easily and it's deserved. One of those times I really wish Rugby was bigger in the public eye and RA and the ACT could third party deal the living shit out of him.
His offers would be in the 1m+ region easily and it's deserved. One of those times I really wish Rugby was bigger in the public eye and RA and the ACT could third party deal the living shit out of him.
Brumby Runner
Jason Little (69)
In Len's case, it's probably a little bit about experiencing the French lifestyle for a while as well as the money. Even if the money could be matched, there would be incentive for him (and others) to experience something different. I would like to see him offered a sabatical after the Lions for a season in French rugby and then come back to the Brumbies for the next three or four years to include the RWC in 2027.
The Ghost of Raelene
David Codey (61)
How much would a guy like Len be making right now or potentially offered by RA/ACT? 500-600k?
If Farrell can get 1m at 33 then Len can get that as well.
I agree about the sabbatical. Let him get his money and experience and get him back. His Rugby won't suffer from the comp either.
If Farrell can get 1m at 33 then Len can get that as well.
I agree about the sabbatical. Let him get his money and experience and get him back. His Rugby won't suffer from the comp either.
Wilson
Rod McCall (65)
It's a Japanese side he's apparently deep in talks with, not a French one.
Wilson
Rod McCall (65)
I'm not sure if it'll be a significant shift in the Giteau law (3 players with a 30cap/5 year eligibility), but I do expect he won't be left out as others have been. It's him, McReight, Valetini, Bell and Tupou that all fit that bill right now, with Tom Wright also making a very strong case. If a few of them went then it would prompt a re-think. Also might depend a bit on the coaching, as they're not going to make big moves there unless the head coach really wants them to, which it seems Schmidt is at least indifferent on.
That said once one signs overseas there's more money for the rest so I'm not sure we'll see the floodgates open just yet. Just need to get that TV deal sorted, and ideally the Nations Championship money flowing beyond that.
Sword of Justice
Colin Windon (37)
If our best Aus based back and forward sign overseas then I don’t see how there can be any argument that we maintain the Giteau law. There are simply too many good players out of the selection pool.
The Ghost of Raelene
David Codey (61)
I don't think we'd see everyone fly off if the rule was scrapped. It is a good point @Wilson about the money opening for others. This is just part of the landscape now and a natural evolution of it all.
I'm firmly of the opinion we just pick the best XV regardless of location. If you chose to go overseas and you aren't a genuine starter for the Wallabies you are going to make it harder for yourself to be picked. We have all the streaming in the world but still playing in front of the coaches at home will do more for your cause. If it widdles away at the guys who don't really care about the Wallabies which there are, then so be it.
We seem to be the ones who pump up overseas performance over local anyway.
I'm firmly of the opinion we just pick the best XV regardless of location. If you chose to go overseas and you aren't a genuine starter for the Wallabies you are going to make it harder for yourself to be picked. We have all the streaming in the world but still playing in front of the coaches at home will do more for your cause. If it widdles away at the guys who don't really care about the Wallabies which there are, then so be it.
We seem to be the ones who pump up overseas performance over local anyway.
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Ignoto
Peter Sullivan (51)
It'd be interesting to see what would happen to the free market if both Australia and NZ ripped the bandaid off and allowed for any player to play for the national team.
We'd obviously have an influx of players heading overseas to have their cake and eat it.
But, what about the knock on effect it would have on other nations? Within 2-4 years, it could be quite possibly to see an additional 20 - 40 players (from Aus + NZ) playing overseas.
That's surely got to have an impact on the ability of the EU + Japanese teams to build depth (as no doubt their 1st line of players would be playing, but their 2nd/3rd stringers would be displaced by this influx).
I can easily see the local markets then correcting this and only allowing 1 - 3 foreign based players per squad, which then reduces demand and we have a return of Aus/NZ players heading back home.
We'd obviously have an influx of players heading overseas to have their cake and eat it.
But, what about the knock on effect it would have on other nations? Within 2-4 years, it could be quite possibly to see an additional 20 - 40 players (from Aus + NZ) playing overseas.
That's surely got to have an impact on the ability of the EU + Japanese teams to build depth (as no doubt their 1st line of players would be playing, but their 2nd/3rd stringers would be displaced by this influx).
I can easily see the local markets then correcting this and only allowing 1 - 3 foreign based players per squad, which then reduces demand and we have a return of Aus/NZ players heading back home.
Highlander35
Steve Williams (59)
I think it could potentially have the opposite effect.
Right now, "generally speaking" European/Japanese/American teams can sign Australian players confident that they will have full seasonal availability to play: for French teams in particular this means that they are available in both the AIs and that early season period were the Top14 overlaps with the Rugby Championship. They know, unless they have a Skelton/Kerevi/Koroibete level player, they won't have to deal with the international Union.
If a Wallabies eligible player can be picked at any time, that's a very different prospect than how it is now.
Right now, "generally speaking" European/Japanese/American teams can sign Australian players confident that they will have full seasonal availability to play: for French teams in particular this means that they are available in both the AIs and that early season period were the Top14 overlaps with the Rugby Championship. They know, unless they have a Skelton/Kerevi/Koroibete level player, they won't have to deal with the international Union.
If a Wallabies eligible player can be picked at any time, that's a very different prospect than how it is now.